Archeological excavations at Crkviste site continue

Excavations at the archaeological site of Crkviste in the Kumanovo village of Klecovce will resume with financial support still being provided by the Ministry of Culture, it was announced on Wednesday.

"For us it is crucial the site to be discovered, restored and put into function as a cultural tourism attraction. One of the main priorities of the ministry and the government in general is the preservation of cultural heritage at archaeological sites. The ministry through its annual programme singles out funds for excavations across the country," stated Culture Minister Elizabeta Kanceska-Milevska.

She announced that more finances would be set aside for excavations at Crkviste next year.

The archaeological site of Crkviste - one of the oldest buildings unearthed in Macedonia - is a large church complex with 35 meters of length and 13 meters of width. It is located in the vicinity of Kokino. 

Macedonians to wake up with freezing temperatures

Due to cold front across the country, Macedonia will wake up on Friday and this weekend seeing temperatures beloe zero degrees.

Morning temperatures will drop to -3 to 5, reaching up to 10 degrees during the day.

Sar Mountain has already seen its first snow which usually is a precursor for longer, colder winter.

Macedonia and Czech Republic sign Economic Cooperation Agreement

Macedonia and the Czech Republic signed Wednesday a protocol defining the guidelines of the countries' economic and trade relations as part of the first-ever two-day session of the mixed committee for bilateral economic cooperation.

Czech Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Milan Hovorka and Macedonia's Deputy Economy Minister Hristijan Delev signed the document and also served as co-chairs of the session, MIA reports from Prague.

At a meeting, they reviewed the potentials of the countries' economies and discussed future agreements for cooperation that are of mutual interest.

The joint committee comes as a result of the agreement on economic and industrial cooperation between the Macedonian and Czech governments signed in 2010.

"We are aware that we need to create an environment in which an economic cooperation will be enabled. Our objective is to establish a framework in which Czech and Macedonian companies will function as partners," Deputy Minister Hovorka told local media.

Underscoring his country's support for Macedonia's EU integration bid, the Czech Minister said the mixed committee discussed ways for providing assistance considering the fact that the Czech Republic was an EU member.

"The Czech Republic wants concrete cooperation with Macedonia in areas in which our EU integration experience would be of mutual interest, because sooner or later nothing will stand in the way between Macedonian manufacturers and their competitors in the Union," Hovorka stressed.

The Czech official added that huge potentials for cooperation existed in the field of energy, renewable resources, automotive industry, environment and agriculture.

During his visit to Prague, Deputy Minister Delev met with businessmen to promote Macedonia's investment opportunities.

The Macedonian delegation also paid a visit to the Czech automotive industry "Skoda" to meet with the company's management.

Mavrovo Church among World's most beautiful abandoned churches

The abandoned church at the Mavrovo Lake heads the list of the most beautiful abandoned churches in the world, compiled by U.S. website "Huffington Post".

In the article titled "Abandoned Churches are Eerily Beautiful", there are photos from such churches from the United States, Belgium, Cambodia, France and Ireland.

"Though churches are normally places where people gather for spiritual fellowship, confession, or for quiet contemplation, these sacred spaces have been abandoned to the elements, their naves and pews standing silent and empty. Nonetheless, they still have a haunting beauty which comes through in these awesome photos", reads the comment.

Macedonia - Kosovo flow of goods normalized

Economy Minister Valon Saraqini and Vice Premier for Economic Affairs Vladimir Pesevski paid a visit early Sunday to Blace border crossing to see first-hand if the free flow of goods, services and people between Macedonia and Kosovo has been reestablished.

Kosovo has ended the embargo for Macedonian products, prompting the removal of the entry fee for Kosovo citizens, as well as the truck blockades of "Makamtrans" at Jazince and Blace border crossings.

"I am pleased to say that misunderstandings between Kosovo and Macedonia have been overcome. This means that flow of goods, services and movement of people from both countries is ongoing without any restrictions. My top priority was finding a solution and overcoming of the situation, and this has been achieved as a result of the efforts by the countries' governments", said Minister Saraqini after the visit.

According to him, Kosovo and Macedonia are significant partners and it is in the interest of both countries to strengthen political and economic relations.

Number of passangers at Macedonia's airports continues to rise

The number of passengers passing through the two Macedonian airports in August increased by 20.5% compared to the same month last year, new figures show released by TAV Macedonia - the operator of the Skopje-based "Alexander the Great" airport and "St. Paul the Apostle" airport in Ohrid.

The Skopje airport handled 115,023 passengers, up 23.1%, while the Ohrid airport was used by 16,463 passengers i.e. 131,486 passed through the two airports.

In the first eight months of 2013, compared to the same period last year, an increase in the number of passengers was recorded - a total of 732,831 people, up 17.5%. There has been also a rise in the number of flights. 8,489 operations of aircrafts were realized between January and August, which is a 9.9% increase compared to the same period in 2012. A significant increase of 16.2% was registered in August in comparison to the same month last year.

This increase comes as a result of introducing several additional flights per week by Turkish Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Croatia Airlines and Fly Dubai. During the summer season, flight were being realized weekly to popular tourist destinations, such as Antalya and Izmir and Sicily.

Istanbul followed by Vienna, London and Malmo were the most popular destinations from the Skopje airport in August, stated the press release. Istanbul, Vienna, Zurich, London and Ljubljana were the top five destinations between January and August. Most of the passengers traveled with Wizz Air, Turkish Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Adria Airways and Pegasus Airlines.

Macedonia and UNMIK-Kosovo protectorate entering into an open trade war

Brussels reacts over the Macedonian-Kosovo dispute after the newly-formed Balkan country has reached a decision to ban the import of certain products from Macedonia, MIA reports from Brussels.

On Monday, the European Commission urged the parties involved in the dispute - which is turning into an embargo for Macedonian products in Kosovo as Macedonia is introducing fees for all Kosovo citizens entering the country - to abide by the obligations stemming from the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA).

"We aim to clarify the measures reported recently and we expect the parties to abide by their obligations stemming from the Central European Free Trade Agreement," EC spokesman Peter Stano told media.

In July, Macedonia imposed a measure to limit the import of wheat and flour from all members of the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA), including Kosovo, in an effort to protect domestic production.

The spokesman declined to say whether the EU would make any direct attempts in order to settle the trade dispute between Macedonia and Kosovo.

MINA's sources in Prishtina say the trade embargo in Kosovo is unfluenced by drug lord Moni Karliu who is known as a major wheat producer in NATO's protectorate.  He is also known as one of the biggest drug dealers in the Balkans and has most of Kosovo's parliament members on his payroll. Unhappy with Macedonian measure to limit wheat imports into the country, Karliu pressured the Kosovo government to impose counter measures. Similar thing happened between Kosovo and Albania few years ago.

This morning chaos on the Macedonian Kosovo border as Kosovo put the ramp on all Macedonian trucks entering the protectorate. 

The Macedonian Government is looking at imposing visas on Kosovo residents as a counter measure.

Traditional climbing to Mt. Golem Korab - on the independence day of Macedonia

More photos at: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152164996249018.1073741828.38395344017&type=1

Happy Independence day

Macedonians worldwide celebrate Ilinden

http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/makedonium-memorial-krusevo

Krusevo fell, but was never defeated. A great idea was born on this day which continued to live in every one of us by which Macedonian nation scores great victories. The idea for which Ilinden fighters and fighters of the national liberation war strived for is alive and lives in us and it will always live. We should always multiply this idea in new victories, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski said in his address on the occasion of Ilinden holiday at Meckin Kamen in Krusevo.

Entire Macedonia knows about the accomplishment that these brave people made 110 years ago. Men and women, children and old men, tradesman, farmers boldly to the last breath had defended Macedonia. And now after 110 years we are paying respect, celebrating and thanking them for their deed and honour, Gruevski said.

On this day, the great idea was born which continued to live in every one of us and did not eveb perish in the Balkan Wars and WWI. This idea contributed Macedonia to start the fight on Oct. 11, 1941 against Hitler’s occupation. The Ilinden resistance continued to live when on Aug. 2, 1944 Macedonian nation held ASNOM’s first session sealing the deserved victory, Gruevski said.

The remembrance of the first and second Ilinden helped Macedonian nation and nationalities to decide on independence and sovereignty of the Republic of Macedonia on Sep. 8, 1991, he said.

Many our ancestors had scarified for us to be free today, to have own rights, culture, language, name, right to religious affiliation, identity, to freely live and die, Gruevski said asking what we can do for Macedonia for our country, our fatherland for which they had fought courageously.

The Republic of Macedonia is independent and sovereign state and everyone should know that today we have basic right as well as basic obligations and duties to work for its development in every sphere, he said.

It depends from us living here Macedonians, Albanians, Turks, Romas, Vlachs, Serbs, Bosniaks whether we will be successful, whether we will meet more standards and whether we will make life better, he underlined.

Reminding on the slogan of today’s celebration “One Idea, Many Victories!” and that the idea for which fighters of Ilinden and of the national liberation war strive for is alive and lives in us we are embodying in all spheres without exception.

Because Macedonia is without natural resources, without oil or gas deposits, without sea beaches that can bring billions of tourists as is it a case in some countries. Our success can only be based on knowledge and skill, investment in minds and knowledge of the citizens. Our chance is here for long-term success. That’s why successful countries and societies are those that are based on knowledge, innovation, entrepreneurship, scientific achievements and education, he emphasized.

The victory is, as he said, to reduce the price of medicaments, to invest in modern equipment for clinics and hospitals, to build and to renovate, to provide free of charge study visit to our doctors abroad, to provide system for better communication between doctors and patients for everyone’s interest.

The victory is Macedonia’s joining in South Stream gas pipeline, new airport in Skopje, modernization of Ohrid airport, new buses for city transportation, apartments for socially vulnerable groups, construction and reconstruction of local, regional roads and highways, legalization of illegally built buildings, purchase of yards for the families, legalization of farms, agricultural mechanization, buying of solid cars and buses as well as high annual agricultural subsidies for farmers, PM Gruevski said.

Horsemen to start Ilinden March to Krusevo

Twenty-five horsemen will start Saturday in Skopje the traditional Ilinden March, in light of the 110th anniversary of the Ilinden Uprising.

The horsemen are scheduled to arrive in Krusevo on August 2 -the Ilinden Uprising Day.

The 35. Ilinden March is organized by the association "Ilinden March 1978", under the auspices of Aerodrom municipality.

German support for ELEM energy projects

Germany will provide support in the amount of EUR 35 million for two energy projects of Macedonian Power Plants (ELEM). EUR 15 million will be used for completion of the Wind Farm Bogdanci, whereas the remaining EUR 20 million for revitalization project of Spilje 2 hydro plant.

Vice Premier and Finance Minister Zoran Stavreski and German Ambassador to Macedonia Gudrun Steinacker signed Thursday an agreement between the Governments of Macedonia and Germany over financial cooperation in "Programme Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energies Stage III", as well as the loan agreement between Germany's KfW bank and ELEM.

"Today's signing of the agreement secures funds required for realization of significant projects in the sector of renewable energy sources, thus getting closer to the objective of 20-percent electricity production from such sources by 2020", said Minister Stavreski after the signing.

He stressed the EUR 15 million for the Bogdanci Wind Farm would complete its construction, whereas the EUR 20 million for Spilje 2 hydro plant would increase its output.

Ambassador Steinacker hoped the realization of the two projects would not represent the end of the bilateral cooperation.

"I believe these projects will be the start of further cooperation in the energy field between the two countries", added Steinacker.

KfW bank representative Esther Gravenkoetter said the bank has invested EUR 270 million in Macedonia thus far.

"We would like to support Macedonia on its road to the EU and electricity production without greenhouse gas emissions. The Bogdanci Wind Farm will supply more than 20,000 families with pure wind-produced energy in less than two years", she added.

ELEM director Dejan Boskovski said the financial framework of the first wind-generated facility for electricity production has been confirmed.

"The windmills are currently in Thessaloniki and their mounting should start by the end of August. If everything goes according to plans, we expect the wind farm to become a part of Macedonia's energy system by the year-end", said Boskovski.

He added the increase of Spilje hydro plant's installed capacity by 70mw would up the share of electricity production from renewable energy sources.

Starting December direct flights Skopje - Berlin

Minister of Transport, Communications Mile Janakieski and representatives of a German carrier agreed Wednesday on launching a direct Skopje-Berlin flight in December.

As of December 20, the carrier 'Fly Germania' will offer a direct flight from Skopje to Berlin to the citizens of Macedonia every Monday and Friday, the Ministry of Transport and Communications said in a press release.

The meeting also reviewed possibilities for the German carrier to also introduce flights to Hamburg, Stuttgart and Frankfurt.

The German carrier, established 26 years ago, operates with a fleet of 18 passenger aircraft.

The Ministry believes that an introduction of new destinations will increase the number of passengers, as well as the frequency of flights within Macedonia's air space.

The Ministry will keep working on attracting new, renowned airlines to operate in Macedonia, the press release reads.

Macedonia - Greece railway traffic interrupted

Macedonia-Greece railroad traffic is interrupted due to the strike of employees in the Greek public transport sector.

The Ministry of Interior has said the traffic will be interrupted until midnight.

British agro producers interested in Macedonian market

Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy Ljupco Dimovski met in London with British Minister of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs David Heath, urging UK businessmen to invest in Macedonia due to the benefits it offers, especially in the agriculture sector.

"Our doors are open for investments in production or distribution centers for agriculture products", said Dimovski after the meeting.

Minister Dimovski said Macedonia has harmonized regulations in line with EU requirements, achieving standards acceptable for the strict European market.

"The country's climate and soil enable quality agriculture products with a characteristic aroma, color and taste. The Government has implemented stimulative measures, whereas exports of Macedonian agriculture products has doubled, mainly at EU markets. We hope the quality will result in our increased presence at the British market", he added.

Minister Heath said British producers have shown interest for entry at the Macedonian market, while the UK market is open for Macedonian wine.

He stressed that UK-Macedonia relations are good, but there is room for increased cooperation. Heath offered support for improvement of the food quality and safety, as well as improvement of measures towards increased output.

Minister Dimovski was accompanied in London by Food and Veterinary Agency director Dejan Runtevski.

Macedonia's investment opportunities presented in Kaliningrad

A Macedonian business delegation, led by Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, presented Wednesday Macedonia's investment potentials and economic climate at a business forum held in Russia's Kaliningrad region.

The business forum brought together representatives of manufacturing companies, tourism and agriculture from Kaliningrad - a region in Russia experiencing an intensive economic development as a result of, amongst other things, the status of a free economic zone, the Government said in a press release.

PM Gruevski invited investors from Kaliningrad and Russia to visit Macedonia and to learn first-hand about the conditions and benefits for investing.

Russia, he said, is one of the most important business partners of Macedonia and the countries' trade exchange has been increased in the past decade. These business forums offer a great opportunity to establish new contacts in a bid to strengthen relations.

Macedonia has revoked visas for Russian citizens. Several Russian companies, including Protekt Group, Solvej Group, Lukoil and Grishko, have invested in Macedonia after recognising the favourable conditions for running a business.

The President of the Foreign Investors Association in the Kaliningrad region, Stefano Vlahovic urged the businessmen to examine the opportunities offered in Macedonia. "Macedonia and the Kaliningrad region could establish more concrete relations in the field of investments and trade of commodities," he said.

Deputy PM for economic affairs Vladimir Pesevski presented opportunities for the development and enhancement of tourism cooperation emphasising that the Macedonian Governemnt was allocating subsidies to attract tourists from Russia.

The potentials for investments in agriculture and manufacturing were outlined by the minister for attracting foreign investments, Bill Pavleski. "The Government is making many efforts to strengthen the investment potentials to pave the way for accelerated development."

Today's business forum was organised by the Chamber of Commerce and the Foreign Investors Association in the Kaliningrad region.

Ohrid Lake Day observed

Ohrid Lake Day was observed with an event in Ohrid on Friday.

Mayors of the three towns along the Ohrid Lake coast - Ohrid, Struga and Albania's Pogradec - attended the event.

In 2000, the board for the lake's protection declared June 21 - the first day of summer and the year's longest day - as the Ohrid Lake Day.

The observances also included the 4. recreational bicycle race around the lake.

EVN Macedonia to invest over billion euros in distribution network

EVN Macedonia in the next twenty years will invest over one billion euros in new energy capacities in the distribution system, it is envisaged by EVN's Master Plan outlined on Tuesday.

The projects included in the Master Plan will be realised throughout Macedonia in an effort to improve the quality of energy distribution and supply.

"The one billion-euro investments mean better quality of the electric distribution network and energy efficiency of the system. Energy demand in the coming period will rise by two percent and our investments will address these predictions. By implementing the Master Plan, we are going to continue upgrading, reconstructing and modernising the network," said Werner Hengst - chairman of the EVN Macedonia Executive Board.

He noted that EVN Macedonia's commitment to improving the distribution system could be made possible after establishing a partnership and cooperation with all relevant institutions and the business sector.

The deputy PM in charge of economic affairs, Vladimir Pesevski said that the collaboration with energy companies played an important role in improving the business climate.

"One of the basic factors of an efficient economy is the existence of a stable and quality energy supply... This Master Plan is a chance to increase energy capacity for consumers. It demonstrates that Macedonia is a favourable destination for investments and that the business climate is attractive," Pesevski stated.

Minister of Economy Valon Saraqini noted that energy investments were the most crucial incentive of economic growth.

"The Ministry of Economy and the Government recently have adopted series of measures aimed at advancing the business climate. The foundation of every business is the access to energy and quality supply. Our task is to create an adequate energy policy. Therefore, a strategy for the development of the energy sector until 2020 has been enacted," Saraqini said.

With the Master Plan, he added, energy efficiency will be boosted.

The Master Plan was developed in the past five years by EVN Macedonia expert teams.

EVN Macedonia first entered the country's market seven years ago. In the meantime, the company has invested 196 million euros in the construction of a new network and reconstruction of the existing one.

investments announced in Petrovec industrial zone

A plant for production of styrofoam and PVC elements, a logistics center for product processing, a center for storing precious materials and a storage are the new facilities which will be built in the Petrovec industrial zone nearby Skopje.

The investors who got locations for construction of facilities in the industrial zone were presented Wednesday with building permits by Minister of Transport Mile Janakieski and the mayor of Petrovec municipality, Borce Mitevski.

"This move is another confirmation of the positive policies conducted to attract new investments," Janakieski stated.

He added that the procedures for obtaining building permission had been radically mitigated and were issued electronically since the beginning of June.

Macedonia goes Digital

Starting from today, the Macedonian citizens will watch television program through a digital signal, which will enable a crystal clear picture, impeccable sound and new interactive services. The main difference from the analog broadcast, which will go down in history after six decades is the use of one frequency channel for the transmission of several television programs at the same time.

The digital signal of national and regional TV stations across the country was formally set into operation last night at Skopje square 'Macedonia'. Minister of Information Society and Administration Ivo Ivanovski, CEO of the telecommunication operator ONE Ciril Kafol,  Director of the Agency for Electronic Communications Robert Ordanoski and Broadcasting Council President Zoran Trajcevski addressed the ceremony.  

"Macedonia is the first country in the region to introduce the digital signal, which is a significant step to professionalization of media standards and great success for the country," Ivanovski said at the ceremony.

The shutdown of the analog signal will release a greater frequency range, which will enable a 16-time increase of television programs, from the present 49 to 400. The digitalization enables the introduction of 4G (fourth generation of broadband mobile networks) which will provide bigger Internet access speed. There will also be multi-channel sound i.e. additional services such as subtitles in several languages or options for selecting the desired language, electronic TV guide with broadcast time slots and program description up to seven days in advance, reception of the television services with other “smart” devices (PC, phone, laptop, tablets, etc.). The possibilities of new theme channels, faster teletext, 3D TV will be improved, as well as possibilities for interactive television through an Internet connection, information services (datacasting), buying and paying from the home, etc. With the digitalization, the weaknesses of the analog television such as the limited number of frequencies and the susceptibility to interferences and loss of signal or its doubling, which was characterized with so-called 'shadows and snow' will go down in history.

The telecommunication operator ONE has been chosen as operator through a public tender and it will emit the services of the commercial national and regional televisions through two multiplexes with a digital signal. Recently the parliament passed the changes and additions to the Broadcast Law, which will further specify the details about the permits of the TV stations and the agreements they should make with ONE prior to starting the digital signal. ONE reduced the prices about the fee it will charge for digital broadcast by 36% from the initial fee from the tender. That means that the national TV stations will pay ONE 99.840 euro per year and the regional TV stations – 13.056.

No program can be watched on the old TV sets without the installation of receivers.

Those households that have an older model of a TV set when the digitalization starts will only be able to watch television through a receiver of the digital signal, the so-called set-top-box. Their connection to the TV sets will perform a conversion of the analog into digital signal. Those who want to enjoy high resolution TV must have HD Ready or Full HD TV sets with an option for decompression of the digital TV signal from the MPEG-4 format.

Citizens that are watching TV through the cable operators, Boom TV, Max TV don't have to worry about anything as they will be able to watch TV as usual. If a new TV set with a built-in tuner, it is necessary that it supports DVB-T and MPEG-4 and it is desirable that it is HD Ready or Full HD.

According to the latest research of the Broadcast Council, 23% of the total population in Macedonia receives the signal through an analog TV antenna. They will have to purchase digital set-top-boxes in order to watch TV broadcast through a digital terrestrial TV network. The set-top-box can be bought in every store of the ONE operator and the TV and audio equipment stores. If it is bought from ONE, the end-user can choose whether he wants just a set-top-box to watch the home TV channels, or he will subscribe to one of the services that ONE is offering (with foreign TV channels included).

The digitalization process of the public TV services started at the beginning of last year through the public enterprise 'Macedonian broadcast', which was assigned with two multiplexes, built the infrastructure and is already distributing the DVB-T signal to the national TV services. The current public fee for the broadcasting tax is independent from the digitalization process and it remains in force.

The digitalization process has been completed, or is currently being implemented in most European countries. If Macedonia doesn't switch to digital television, it will not only technologically lag behind the other countries, but the digital signal from the neighboring countries will impede the current analog signal here.

The digital television standard is the European DVB-T standard, which is the most widespread in the world. There will be broadcast of analog and digital TV at the same time for a certain period. The release of the frequencies from the analog broadcast will enable the functioning of the other multiplexes until it is fully shut down by 2015.